Billie Jean King

Two-Out-Of-Three Isn't Bad... It's the Way to Go

2012-08-17T12:36:45-04:00

This week's news of Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the upcoming U.S. Open makes me think -- one more time -- that professional tennis needs both men and women to play the best of three sets, rather than three-out-of-five sets at all professional tennis events, including Davis Cup and the four major tournaments.

There may have been a good reason to play three-out-of-five years ago, but today tennis is different. Technology has changed it and the sport is more demanding. It's about quality over quantity and this is a good recipe to create longer careers for our players. As a fan, I want to see today's players staying around longer.

I am going to miss Nadal at this year's U.S. Open and I think sports fans will as well. I still regret the fact that Pete Sampras quit playing at 31 and Stefanie Graf retired at 30. The sport is so much more dynamic today and it is so much harder on the players' bodies than it was when I played.

Today's players are in great shape, and being fit and healthy is just as much a weapon as a big serve and a killer forehand. But there is a price to pay. As I write this, Nadal has been away from the tour for seven weeks. It is the longest break from competitive tennis in his career and it is a sign that changes need to be made.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the best of three sets. All of the tournaments on the ATP Tour, including the elite level Masters 1000 events, play two-out-of-three. All of the events on the WTA Tour play the best of three and even the Olympic tournament is a best of three sets event (with the exception of the men's singles final).

When you play the best of three sets, the tennis is still high quality. Let's look at men's draw at the London Olympics. Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro went 19-17 in the third set in a very exciting semifinal match and even though he was on the losing end of the semifinal, Del Potro came back from that loss to win the Bronze Medal match. Earlier in the tournament Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Milos Raonic went to 25-23 in the third set before Tsonga claimed victory. Then Tsonga still had enough legs to go on to reach the men's doubles final and the quarterfinals of the men's singles draw.

As a fan of tennis, I want our stars to stay around longer and I want our future stars to know that we will protect them and their careers. So yes, I am going to miss watching Nadal play at this year's Open and I do hope he is back on the courts soon. But if we don't get him and his colleagues in professional tennis some help, he won't be the only one sitting out tournaments.

Fight Arthritis - Keep Moving!

2011-09-01T08:37:41-04:00

If you have arthritis like me, you know that sometimes the pain can feel unmanageable. But I am here to tell you there are ways to manage it. The key is to keep moving and take part in some form of physical activity every day.

Exercising and staying active can help relieve arthritis pain, and in some cases, even delay the onset of the symptoms. That is the important message behind a new arthritis campaign I'm supporting in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation, the United States Tennis Association and the Ad Council. It debuts today at the US Open.

Exercise has worked for me. I have had osteoarthritis -- the most common form of arthritis that breaks down the cartilage in your joints -- since I had my first knee operation in my 20s. I know the years I spent playing tennis helped to manage my pain and extend the longevity of my knees. But I was in pain and it wasn't until last year that I finally had double knee joint replacement surgery. Today, I feel fantastic.

Tennis is my weapon of choice in battling arthritis because it is what I love to do the most. There is no better feeling for me than hitting a ball or running to a ball. It is what makes me happy and keeps me healthy, even if I am not moving as quickly as I used to.

If you have arthritis, don't think you should be sedentary. It's just the opposite. Think positively and make sure you keep moving. Even my mother, at age 89, says you have to keep moving, or it's over.

Choose whatever activity you enjoy -- walk in the park, play tennis, go to the gym, take a hike, or swim. Whatever works for you -- just make sure you get off the couch and do something that involves moving your body.

Arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it affects one in every five adults and 300,000 children each year. However, research released from the Ad Council shows that only 16 percent of people with arthritis actually feel confident that they know the best way to manage their pain. Most people think taking medication is the best treatment. Through this campaign, I hope to educate and empower people to get physically active because it can change the course of your arthritis and your life.

To learn more about how to manage your arthritis and increase your mobility, please visit www.fightarthritispain.org.

Looking Back, Looking Forward: 40 Years Of Title IX

2011-06-23T09:09:21-04:00

From courtside at Wimbledon, I'm celebrating two important anniversaries this week: the 50th anniversary of my first championship win at Wimbledon, and the 40th anniversary year of Title IX, legislation that ensures equal access to both men and women in federally-funded educational programs and activities, including sports programs.

Both milestones have special importance to me. When Karen Hantze and I won the Ladies' Doubles at Wimbledon in 1961, there were not nearly as many opportunities for girls and women in sports as there are today. The passage of Title IX legislation in 1972 opened important doors, but I knew it would take long-term and continued efforts and dedication to ensure those doors remained open. I founded the Women's Sports Foundation in 1974 with the goal of keeping the promise of Title IX alive.

There has been important progress. For example, high school varsity sports participation has increased from one in 27 in 1972 to about two in five girls today, and women's collegiate participation is up 500%, as a result of Title IX.

But forty years later, the reality is that women still have 1.3 million fewer high school and more than 55,000 fewer college sports participation opportunities than men. Women receive almost $150 million less in athletic scholarship funds each year and women still have fewer professional sports opportunities.

I know firsthand the life lessons that sports teaches from an early age and I often hear stories from other men and women of all ages about how playing sports and being active has helped them build confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills and long-lasting friendships. You don't build these on the world stage or at the Olympics - they are forged at an early age and in the grind of daily training and discipline. So as I celebrate these anniversaries, I am not interested in looking back as much as I am interested in looking forward. How do we build on the momentum and make sure this generation and the next generation of youth are provided equal opportunities in sports and in life?

It takes more than one voice, and more than one athlete, parent or friend. I encourage you to share what Title IX means to you, and find out more about the importance of keeping Title IX alive for future generations, at Women's Sports Foundation on Facebook or www.WomensSportsFoundation.org. Let's work together to make sure all girls who want to get active and involved in sports have that opportunity.

Different Time, Different Sport, Similar Story

2011-01-19T08:51:51-05:00

In 1970 nine tennis players signed a $1 contract with World Tennis Magazine publisher Gladys Heldman, which was the birth of women's professional tennis as we know it today. It also was a move that allowed players like Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova to make a living today doing what they love... playing professional tennis.

I was fortunate to be part of that group of nine players and we will all tell you, going out on our own like that was no easy task. There was intense pressure from the US Lawn Tennis Association (now the USTA) and they did not want us to start our own tour.

Really, we just wanted to play tennis and make a living doing it. But we were told to choose.

Fast forward to earlier this month when I was talking to my good friend Jessica Mendoza about the current state of women's professional softball. It seems she and her colleagues are facing many of the same obstacles we faced 40 years ago.

Different time. Different sport. Similar story.

Women's softball has been removed from the Olympics beginning in 2012 and it has definitely changed the future of the sport. Now, a new professional league has surfaced. National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is the name of the league and it needs the stars of American softball to make it work. Seems like a perfect opportunity, doesn't it? Play on the national team and play professionally. It's been done in many sports for years.

But just as we faced opposition 40 years ago, so are our softball stars. Jessica Mendoza, along with other members of the Olympic team, including Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Monica Abbott, Caitlin Lowe, Lauren Lappin, Andrea Duran and Vicky Galindo, are asking the same question we asked in 1970 -- "why can't we do both?"

Jessica and her teammates have to choose between the national team and a professional league and they have opted to play exclusively with the NPF. They are sticking together, standing side-by-side. Jessica Mendoza is a leader and she, like her teammates, is very passionate about the future of their sport, and the opportunity of their chosen profession. They are making tough decisions.

If everyone works together it will work out. We may have disagreed with the USTA 40 years ago, but now we enjoy a very productive relationship with the organization. The softball players have a difficult road ahead and this generation will not reap the real benefits, but they will lay a strong foundation for those generations who come after them. These women are being brave and considerate of those who will come after them.

Yes it is a different time and it is a different sport. But the question remains the same, "why can't they do both?"

President Obama Has Impressed Me

2010-12-27T16:31:06-05:00

There is a saying in sports that you should never underestimate your opponent. And it might apply in politics as well.

While President Obama has taken his share of knocks this year and things did not look particularly good for him after the mid-term elections, he has risen to the occasion. As the year comes to a close there is progress being made and many important pieces of legislation getting passed.

Champions adjust. And he has definitely done that.

The Obama administration and Congress are working together and they are making progress on behalf of the American people.

With the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, ratification of the New START Treaty and passage of the tax bill, he has rolled with the punches and he has emerged from the fray standing tall.

I'm impressed and I think he has handled the pressure very well.

More importantly, President Obama has proven to us he is very resilient and he truly cares about the American people.

Thank you Mr. President for your leadership.

Celebrate Milestones Based on Accomplishment, Not Gender

2010-12-21T21:37:37-05:00

Just to set the record straight... I'm a basketball fan. I love the sport -- women's, men's, college or pro -- it is something I enjoy watching as a fan. I even had a chance to watch my niece's son play in a kid's game at an Atlanta rec center last week and it was so much fun.

So, to watch the University of Connecticut women's basketball team tie, and then break, Coach Wooden and the UCLA men's team long-standing record of 88 consecutive wins has been a thrill.

I read a quote from UConn coach Geno Auriemma that said:

"Because we're breaking a men's record, we've got a lot of people paying attention. If we were breaking a women's record, everyone would go 'Aren't those girls nice, let's give them two paragraphs in USA Today, you know, give them one line on the bottom of ESPN and then let's send them back where they belong, in the kitchen."

Unfortunately, he is right on target.

Over time we have seen people, and especially the media, only pay attention to women's sports when we are competing -- or breaking records -- in the men's arena. It happened with me when I played Bobby Riggs. It was the same reaction when Babe Didrikson and Annika Sorenstam stepped up to the men's tees in golf.

It's always important to celebrate accomplishments for both men and women. Women's sports are never going to get a fair share until we receive more media attention. News like Lindsey Vonn's recognition as the AP Female Athlete of the Year for 2010, the recent launch of ESPNW and Barbara Stevens of Bentley University becoming the fifth coach in women's basketball history to win 800 games is definitely a step forward.

What the UConn women's basketball team has done has been extraordinary but would it have received the same attention if they were breaking a consecutive win streak held by Pat Summitt's University of Tennessee team? I'd like to think it would, but I'd probably be wrong.

I'd just like you to think about it. Let's celebrate breaking records and reaching milestones based on the accomplishment and not based on gender.

That's what the fan in me would love to see.

Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell Is a Big Deal

2010-12-19T11:55:49-05:00

Years from now we may look back on Saturday's repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" and wonder why it was such as big deal in the first place. But today, as we analyze the impact of the 17 year struggle for recognition and acceptance forced upon gays and lesbians in our military, it is a big deal.

This would not have happened without the leadership of President Obama and it's a victory for all of us and a celebration of doing the right thing.

I was always taught to be honest and to live my life with integrity. And I have tried my best to live by those words each and every day, even though I too struggled at times with my own sexuality. But for thousands of men and women in our military, they have been forced to live a lie in a shame-based world.

Living and working under those circumstances is not good and it just isn't healthy.

In 1948 President Harry Truman used an Executive Order to integrate our armed forces and eliminate discrimination against African Americans in the military. And for the last 40 years women have had an increasingly accepted presence and active role in the military. Today, finally, we can add sexual orientation to the list of those who are accepted to serve and protect our nation.

The repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" didn't need to be a big deal. In fact it should have been a no-brainer. All we have to do is look around the world at our allies. Many nations allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military and they've been accepting them for years.

I am proud to be an American and I am honored to have the men and women who serve in our armed forces put their lives on the line to protect our nation. Their race, gender or sexual orientation does not matter to me. What matters most is their commitment to our country.

And that is a big deal.

Beating Diabetes -- Together

2010-11-29T12:17:04-05:00

As American Diabetes Month draws to a close, I wanted to share some final thoughts on my personal battle with diabetes. I've spoken in my past few posts about my strategies for managing diabetes -- taking control of my diet and stepping up my exercise routine -- but the key to my success has been the wonderful support system around me.

When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I already had friends and family members in my life with similar diagnoses. I knew I could count on them for advice and support. But I recognized I needed more than that -- I needed a complete support system to help me manage and fight this disease. Nutrisystem has been a key part of my support system (and I am now a spokesperson for the company). I love that the program is focused on maintaining good health, not losing weight quickly. It's has been a great resource for me, helping me understand how to manage my carb intake, choose low glycemic foods, and ultimately lose (and keep off!) 35 pounds.

Perhaps the most important person you can provide support to is YOU. I realize most people are under tremendous stress in their lives, juggling the demands of family, career and personal finances. But nothing is more important than making time to focus on your health and well-being. In tennis I stay focused on my side of the net. It's important I get my own act together and not worry my opponent. That inward focus has been a big key to my success. It's no different when it comes to managing a disease like diabetes - it requires a personal commitment to accept responsibility for my health. The only person's performance I can control is mine.

Taking care of ourselves is all important, all year-round.

Diabetes Has Met Its Match

2010-11-23T16:53:49-05:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, November is American Diabetes Month, which is why I'm taking some time to share my personal experiences with diabetes. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about three years ago, I was presented with a challenge and like many athletes I wanted a total plan, taking in body, mind and soul. How was I going to beat this opponent?

I knew it would take a combination of diet and exercise to get my diabetes under control. The last 12 months have been challenging as I have just had double knee joint replacement. Being away from my normal exercise routine presented an entirely new set of challenges and taught me to modify things to fit the situation. Now that I'm back at 100%, I'm hitting tennis balls, back at the gym and for the first time in a long time, I take frequent walks in Central Park.

For me, managing my diabetes has been all about making smart food choices without depriving myself of the foods I love -- maintaining a healthy relationship with food. Eating provides critical fuel for our bodies and is meant to be pleasurable. I think it is important people relax, focus on choosing healthy foods, but most importantly, enjoy what you're eating.

What a perfect time to be talking about the importance of good food choices and portion control. With Thanksgiving and the holidays right around the corner, many of us throw common sense right out the window. This year, why not try to remind ourselves of the importance of responsible eating? When I'm playing tennis, the moment I see that ball flying at me across the net, I have a decision to make. I use the same approach to eating -- before I sit down to eat, I take a moment to plan my meal and ensure I'm making smart choices. I find that this moment of reflection often helps me to eat less, savor every bite, and make thoughtful choices.

Whether you have diabetes or not, we may need a little guidance to make wise food choices. For me, Nutrisystem gave me the guidance I needed. With their help, I lost 35 pounds, and always felt satisfied.

So, whether you have diabetes or you're trying to prevent it, I hope you'll take a moment to reflect before you sit down for your next meal. Enjoy what you're eating, but choose foods that are nourishing and provide much-needed fuel for your body. The causes of diabetes are often unclear. But we can all take a stand against diabetes by better managing our health and making good choices every day. Together, I believe we can win back good health and stop diabetes.

My Connection to Diabetes

2010-11-18T14:45:06-05:00

November marks American Diabetes Month -- a time for all of us to stop and take notice of this epidemic and take the necessary steps to prevent its spread. This means taking an active role in managing our diabetes if we've already been diagnosed, or doing whatever we can to prevent it if we're at risk.

I first learned about diabetes when I was just seven years old. A good friend was diagnosed when we were in second grade, and I had so many questions. He always carried a packet of sugar in his back pocket in case he needed it -- which is how they managed diabetes in 1950.

As a teenager I watched tennis players deal with the disease -- from legendary doubles champ Bill Talbert to the great Ham Richardson (who battled type 1 diabetes from the time he was 15). I remember going home and reading more about diabetes so I understood it better. My cousin and my aunt were diagnosed. Later, two close friends, both of whom worked with me at World TeamTennis (one is still my personal assistant) were diagnosed when they were very young. So yes, it seems I've been around diabetes for years.

When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about three years ago, I felt well-prepared. My blood sugar started to get elevated and I tracked it with my doctor and I knew I had to make some changes in my life. Like so many people, I have battled with my weight for years, and I realized this was a factor I must address as well.

But I also knew that I had to focus on the present. This is when I started to plan and accept responsibility for my health. There is a saying many of us know, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and that is exactly what came to me. Nutrisystem is part of my plan. Over the long term, I shed 35 pounds of excess weight, which led to me becoming a spokesperson for the company. At the same time, I made sure I exercised moderately and began to think more consciously about what I was eating. But most importantly, I am good to myself.

Diabetes is a serious disease with deadly consequences. Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes and another 57 million are at risk. In the next few weeks, I'll be posting more blog entries that share my personal experiences managing diabetes and advice for readers. Together, we can end the devastating toll that diabetes takes on people and their families all across the country.

Smash Hits Brings Music and Tennis Together on November 15 in Washington, D.C.

2010-11-01T13:16:21-04:00

When I first met Elton John in 1973 we talked about finding a way to put music and sports together. So when he started the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, World TeamTennis CEO Ilana Kloss told us, "Here's your chance to make this happen and we can raise money for the Foundation and let more people know about HIV and AIDS."

Now, 18 years later we will bring the product of that conversation, WTT Smash Hits, to the Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. on November 15 for a night of World TeamTennis that I am honored to host with Elton.

Since the first Smash Hits event in Los Angeles in 1993 we have raised almost $10 million to support the programs and initiatives of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and several local-based HIV/AIDS organizations. Over the years the greatest players in tennis have joined us in our quest to raise money and increase awareness for the fight against HIV and AIDS in this country and beyond. From Evert and Navratilova to Agassi and Sampras, to McEnroe, Connors, Davenport, Kournikova and so many more, these players have stood with us at Smash Hits.

This year Andre Agassi is back and we are thrilled Stefanie Graf will make her Smash Hits debut in our nation's capital. They will be joined by Martina Navratilova, James Blake, Anna Kournikova, Mark Knowles, Rennae Stubbs and Jan-Michael Gambill for what promises to be an entertaining and important night.

All of us at WTT are excited about bringing Smash Hits to the Washington area for the first time. The Elton John AIDS Foundation tells me the D.C. area has the largest number of AIDS cases of any major metropolitan area in the nation. I'm confident that EJAF and our local partner, the Washington AIDS Partnership, can make inroads on that front through this event and the increased awareness we hope to generate.

Smash Hits really is a special night and this year's event will be even more so. The loyal support of these players who donate their time, and of VIP Reception Co-Chairs Diana Goldberg and Mark Ein, the 2009 WTT champion Washington Kastles and everyone - in and out of the greater Washington, D.C. area - who support this great event, is not lost on any of us.

Thirty-five percent of all new HIV infections in the United States are young people ages 13-29. It's a shocking number, but it is a reality we must face and a challenge we must attack.

Please join us November 15 at Bender Arena on the American University Campus in Washington D.C. for a great night of tennis and an important event to raise funds and awareness of HIV and AIDS. You can get ticket information at www.WTT.com or www.aueagles.com.

Maria Shriver's Conference Is Empowering

2010-10-29T18:11:59-04:00

I recently returned to my hometown of Long Beach, California for the final edition of Maria Shriver's California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women. This two-day event is perhaps one of the most powerful events of the year and once again, I left Long Beach feeling more connected, more motivated and thankful that I was able to be part of this day.

While on the surface this is a "women's conference" it is really a powerful showcase of current opinions and current events. It is one of the few programs in the nation where you buy a ticket (just like you are attending a concert or a sporting event) and you hear from people and meet people who will change your life.

I am a big fan of making sure we network by people and not by gender. But this is an event where women really feel special. You can ask almost anyone who attends, this event is empowering.

For the sake of everyone, I sincerely hope this conference will continue with the new California administration. But, I have to tell you, following Maria Shriver will be no easy task. Her friendships run deep, her networking skills are unmatched and her commitment to this great event is so very evident.

So, as Maria took her final bow at the conference, I couldn't help but think about how people of all ages and backgrounds walked out of the Long Beach Convention Center feeling better about themselves and empowered to take on the world.

To my friend, Maria, I say well done! I simply can't wait to see where the next chapter of your journey will take you.

After 49 Years, the King Finally Meets the Queen

2010-06-24T10:11:33-04:00

After 49 years of coming to Wimbledon, today I was honored to meet Queen Elizabeth II. Tim Phillips, the chairman of the All England Club introduced us in the grassy courtyard of the member's enclosure.

The Queen thanked me for being loyal to Wimbledon and we talked briefly about the role tennis plays in so many lives, including how it is a life sport for people of all ages and abilities.

Joined by some of the greatest players of the sport, including those from yesterday and today, I stood in the receiving line with the great Martina Navratilova on my right and one of Britain's young stars Laura Robson on my left. Venus and Serena were there, as were Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and others.

I was coached by my longtime friend Elton John on the etiquette when greeting the Queen. He told me to say "Good morning, Your Majesty," and how to address her when she asked questions. His advice really put me at ease and I have to say Elton was right on. It was simple, elegant and definitely a special moment.

So with the sun high in the sky over southwest London, the Queen moved to her seats in the Royal Box to watch Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen and left the grounds, having checked one more thing off of life's list, trying to soak it all in and recognizing how very blessed I am to have so many wonderful opportunities in my life.

Thank You, Sandy for Helping Me Win Wimbledon!

2010-03-18T12:06:21-04:00

With plans being made for the 35th season of World TeamTennis, I recently thought of how important being part of a team is to my career and my life. Maybe part of the reason I am such a proponent for all things team, is that I have been fortunate to be on some great teams in my life and to have some really helpful teammates. People like Sandy Mayer.

Sandy Mayer helped me win Wimbledon in 1975.

In those days, the World TeamTennis season was a split season, with matches before and after Wimbledon. Sandy and I set a goal to get me ready to win the Championships that year and we used our time together on the New York Sets to make it happen. With us on the 1975 team were Virginia Wade (who went on to win Wimbledon in 1977), Anne Guerrant, Betsy Nagelson, Charlie Owens and Fred Stolle.

Sandy and I probably practiced more than we normally would. We worked on this every day. We hit early, we stayed late. At the time I was just a few months shy of 32 years old and I was getting in the best shape of my life. It was a great feeling.

Fortunately, this approach not only benefitted me, it helped Sandy as well. That year, he and the late Vitas Gerulaitis won the Wimbledon Men's Doubles. It was one of those moments where putting in the extra effort and trusting your teammate really paid off - for both of us.

Yes, Sandy Mayer helped me win Wimbledon in 1975.

We reached our goal because we were on a team and we worked together like teammates day in and day out. Those days were so different than professional tennis is today. It was definitely a different time.

Sandy and I both learned that great players make their teammates better and that is the true sign of a champion.

So while so many remember my 1975 Wimbledon championship as the year I had an afro hairstyle, I remember it as the year Sandy Mayer helped me win Wimbledon.

And that is a very good memory. Thank you, Sandy.

Wall Street Journal Is My New Sports Hero

2010-01-07T17:37:00-05:00

I'm not big on hero worship, but I may have to re-think my position.

"The Hidden Benefits of Exercise," the cover story in the "Personal Journal" section of the Wall Street Journal (January 5, 2010), almost made me swoon.

There it was -- everything our Women's Sports Foundation has been saying for decades: "Even moderate physical activity can boost the immune system and protect against chronic disease." Yes!

Other studies show that exercise

-- lowers the risk of stroke by 27%,

-- reduces the incidence of diabetes by approximately 50%,

-- reduces the incidence of high-blood pressure by approximately 40%,

-- can reduce mortality and the risk of recurrent breast cancer by approximately 50%,

-- can lower the risk of colon cancer by over 60%, and

-- can reduce the risk of developing the risk of developing the Alzheimer's disease by approximately 40%.

Game, set and match. Less colds and flu, too. How can you beat those odds?

I urge you to share your healthy living story with me, because it is important to me to know what you are doing to improve your life. You can write to me at BJKBlog@womenssportsfoundation.org and I will send you a link to the Women's Sports Foundation's new study on health called Her Life Depends on It.

Go for it and happy new year of exercise and health to everyone.